Nebulizer



M. SIMPSON NEBULIZER Filed Feb. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .M v R Y. M Wmm m m u H J U Gay/W94 Jan. 19, 1937'. M. SIMPSON I 2,068,518

NEBULI ZER Filed Feb. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \u 7 //6 2 a 2; M g i i9 "%L% I i /5 I INVENTOR.

MANN/N6 (SIMPSON A TTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 19, 1937 units!) rares PATENT OFFICE NEBULIZER OhioApplication February 26, 1934, Serial No. 712,927 13 Claims. (Cl.299--20) The invention to be hereinafter described relates tofan-draught actuated nebulizers.

Many constructions and arrangements have been resorted to for thepurpose of utilizing the 5 draught of the ordinary electric fan tonebulize or atomize a liquid, and, by the air currents of the fan,distribute it through the body of air affected by the fan. There areperforated pads or discs, perforated pipes or tubes, frames of. vari- 10ous shapes carrying absorbent materials, etc.

Some feed by gravity and some by capillary attraction. They arerelatively-uneconomical, inefficient, difficult to keep in operativecondition, obstructive to the fan draught, awkward to prop- 16 erlyposition,.bulky, expensive, or otherwise objectionable. Such nebulizersare variously intended for use in treating and modifying the air of agiven room, closet, compartment or other place. For instance, peoplesubject to colds may 20; be greatly benefited by sitting in a room theair of which is treated by a suitable curative substance so nebulized.Colds are very common and for that reason mentioned, but a practicalnebulizer of the type of the present invention is equally 25.,applicable in every case in which a nebulized atmosphere is appropriate.Wherever clothes are stored, as in clothes closets and the like,subject' to moth damage, a nebulizer of the type of the presentinvention is very useful. By thorfioroughly treating the air of thestorage place with a suitable moth deterrent, with the clothes on theirhangers or otherwise in place, they are all quickly, easily, andthoroughly moth proo-fed at negligible cost, in minimum time, and withleast Sfir' effort. These two widely different applications or uses aregiven simply as typesone medical and the other industrial. Obviously,the invention may be readily used for creating a perfumed, attrative,pleasing, or other desirable atmosphere for various gatherings; or forcreating a disinfecting or other protecting atmosphere for hosiptals,sick rooms, etc.

The main objects of the present invention are to avoid the above andother deficiencies and provide a simple, eflicient, compact andeconomical device applicable toand cooperating with the averagehousehold fan of either the stationary or oscillating type, to use thefan draught to nebulize 70 a given substance and, through itscirculating currents, thoroughly treat the air of the particularlocation. with the nebulized substance, for the particular resultsought.

In order to more clearly disclose the construc- 55 tion, operation anduse of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanyingdrawings forming part of this application. Throughout the severalfigures of the drawings like reference characters designate the sameparts in the different views.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front view of one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a right hand side elevation of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevations of a preferred form of nebulizerelement, container and fan, in relative positions for use;

Fig. 5 is a. front View showing the container of Fig. 3 mounted on a fanguard;

Fig. 6 is a right hand side elevation of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the container of Fig. 3and anchor cap, with nebulizer in place;

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of the anchor cap of Fig. '7';

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '7, showing a modification;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the anchor cap of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. '7, showing a further modification;and

Fig. 12 is a top plan View of the anchor cap of Fig. 11.

In order to simply, easily, quickly, continuously and directly nebulizethe particular liquid by the current of air from the fan, such currentshould impinge directly upon the liquid, in finely divided form, as thecurrent leaves the fan and has its full force. For this direct contact,the element carrying the liquid should beimmediately in the path of thecurrent and as close as practical to the fan guard and source of the airblast. However, it must not obstruct the flow to any appreciable extent.Otherwise, the nebulized liquid can not be distributed by the aircurrents, or even adequately nebulized. So, the construction, mounting,and disposition must all cooperate to produce adequate nebulization andemcie'nt distribution.

In the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the invention has been applied toa fanofwell known construction and widely distributed under the name ofCrosley temperator. This fan has a cylindrical casing or housing in thefront of which is secured the wire heating element, not shown in thedrawings. On the top of this'casing is suitably supported a smallcontainer I of glass or other suitable material, provided with asuitable filling opening on its'upper side. This container, preferably,is made of generally elliptical form and has its opposite ends mountedin small brackets 2 carried by the casing. These brackets are of suchlength as to space the under side of the container from the casing sothat the fingers of the user may pass about the container and between itand the casing, the container thereby constituting a handle by which thefan, as a whole, may be carried from place to place. Of course, thecontainer is removably connected, in any usual and well known manner inits brackets, so that it may be removed and replaced at will. From thelower forward part of the container extends a short outlet pipe 3 fromwhich depends a pipe 4 directed radially toward the center of the fan.Pipe 4, in turn, has a T-connection with an arouate pipe 5 the are beingconcentric with the axis of the fan. As will be seen, the T formed bythe pipes 4 and 5 is inverted, with the head arcuate instead of straightor truly fiat. A short off-set branch 6 in pipe 4, at a sharp acuteangle, provides a suitable mounting for a small needlevalve l of usualand well known type for regulating the flow through pipe l. Below theneedlevalve 1, a sight or observation glass 8 is inserted in pipe 4 sothat the rate of flow may be readily observed and the valve I adjustedaccordingly. The nebulizer element, itself, comprises a spirally Woundor coiled wire 9, band, ribbon, or the like, enclosing a core or wicki5, preferably of fibrous or other suitable material, and having itsends suitably secured in any practical manner within the ends of theT-head 5. This core must have capillary properties, for purposes to belater disclosed. So mounted, the liquid flowing, by gravity, throughpipes i and 5 will pass into the core ends and, by gravity, absorptionand capillary attraction, pass into and moisten the core or wick. Asshown in Fig. l, the wire 9 and its core are directly in the path of thefan blast which is driven with full force between the coils of thespiral wire, through the moistened wick or core, and directly againstand through the finely divided liquid in the wick or core, nebulizing itand thoroughly impregnating the stream of air with such nebulizedliquid. The core or wick provides a liquid conductor or carrier of highefiiciency while, at the same time enabling maximum nebulization by thefan current. The wire coil provides maximum surface exposure of thefibrous core to the air current and greatest possible freedom fornebuli- Zation, while at the same time providing adequate support to thecore or wick. By enclosing a fibrous core or wick within a spirallywound wire, a nebulizer element of minimum material and area isprovided, with corresponding minimum resistance or obstruction to theair flow of the fan. If desired, though not essential, the nebulizerelement may be secured at several points, to the wire guard of the fanor to parts carried by the cylindrical casing. This may be done in anysuitable manner. A simple wire clip, not shown, may be passed about thenebulizer and around a wire member of the guard, for instance, as willbe readily understood. Or the nebulizer may be simply permitted to swingsuspended from the T-head 5. In either case, it will assume anapproximately circular form directly in front of the fan, and will bestruck by the full force of the fan-blast. In this form, the support isfrom above and the shape of the element will be maintained by the coilof the wire, gravity, and the T-head 5. If. desired, a spreader ring,similar to that hereinafter described in connection with other forms ofthe invention, may be used to further assure the shape,

but that is not really necessary in this form, unless a weak wire coilis used. In that case, a spreader ring would be necessary. A simple andefficient way of securing the coil in the ends of the T-head is toscrew-thread the T-head ends, either interiorly or exteriorly,preferably interiorly for appearances. The coil is light and its normaloutside cross-sectional diameter is approximately that of the T-head.Consequently, by expanding the coils sumoiently to receive the T-headends, the spring contraction will be sufficient for the coils to gripthe threads, or by compressing the coil sufficiently to be receivedwithin the T-head, the expansion will be sufiicient to hold it in place.In both cases, as will be readily understood, this is a yielding holdwhich, by moderate pull or force, may be separated for renewal orsubstitution. When a frame or spreader is not used within in the coil,wicks or cores may .be removed or replaced from the respective coils atwill, by simply threading them therethrough. In this form, the containeralso constitutes a handle by which the fan and its attachments may belifted and carried about. On the other hand, by simply removing thescrews of brackets 2, the entire attachment may be quickly removed andanother attached in its place.

The construction and arrangement above disclosed is applicable withslight obvious modifications to either stationary, oscillating, orrotating fans. Where, instead of the cylindrical casing, an open wireguard or frame of usual and well known type is used, it is onlynecessary to secure a small plate to the guard in about the samerelative position as the brackets 2 and then, by brackets 2, secure thecontainer l to such plate. It is not believed that further illustration,as by drawings, along that line, is necessary or would add anything tothis disclosure.

A preferred. form of the invention for moving fans, such as theoscillating or swinging type and the rotating type, has the position ofcontainer and nebulizer element reversed, relatively to that abovedescribed. In it, the liquid is fed by capillary attraction, instead ofboth by capillary attraction and by gravity. Otherwise, it issubstantially the same in construction, operation and use. In it, thecontainer I constitutes a simple bottle of appropriate form,construction and size. In this form, the nebulizer element is similar insize, and relative position to that of the other arrange ment abovedisclosed and therefore extends considerably above and laterally beyondthe container, with corresponding leverage relatively to the containerin which it is, as hereinafter disclosed, mounted. This bottle ismounted on a plate H which is suitably removably secured to the wires ofthe fan guard by small ears or tongues I2 stamped or punched from theplate in such manner that they may be bent from the plate and around thewires to secure the plate to the wires. This constitutes a platform orsupport for the container, at the lower side or bottom of the fan guard,as shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 6, this plate projects sufficientlyfar forward from the fan guard to provide adequate support for thebottle. To securely maintain the container on the support duringswinging or rotation of the fan, spring clips or fingers l3 are providedon the plate edge at intervals. Their lower ends are spot welded orotherwise suitably secured to the plate at or near its edge, and theyare slightly inwardly deflected so that their upper free ends projectsomewhat within the boundary of the plate. The

tips. of their free ends are backwardly and outwardly curved; The plateis, of course, proportimed to the base or bottom or other maximumcorresponding cross-sectional area, of the container to be seated.thereon. Consequently, in

placing the container on the plate II', the spring fingers are spread.sufficiently to receive the container, thereby yieldingly gripping itand holding it securely in position while, at the same time permittingits ready removal and replacement. Also, these spring fingers, engagingthree sides of the container, as they do, counteract all probableoutward tipping tendency of the container, due to the considerableleverage of the nebulizer element, as it is struck by the fan blast.Obviously, the nebulizer element, in this form, may be positivelyconnected tothe wires of the guard by clips or otherwell known andsuitable means, if desired.

The nebulizer element of this invention comprises the minimum number ofparts, all of which are of exceptionally simple, practical, efficientand low cost construction, and all of which may be very readily had inany locality. The absorbent wick or core through which the liquid isdistributed throughout the nebulizer element, either by capillaryattraction or by gravity and capillaryattraction, may be had in quantityanywhere. The coil wire cage, envelope or housing for containing thecore or wick, holding it in position and maintaining its shape, may beobtained in a wide variety of sizes, strengths and grades, practicallyanywhere. And the wire or rod, or ribbon for the spreaders may be hadinany size, shape, construction or characteristic desired, at any place.It is then only necessary to take these readily obtainable parts, cutthem to the right lengths, properly bend or shape them,

assemble the parts, and you have the complete nebulizer element, whichis then either inserted in the T-head ends, or through the opening inthe respective anchor cap, as desired.

While the coil formation of wire 9, properly proportioned, may be reliedupon to adequately sustain the substantially circular shape of thenebulizer element, as it hangs from the T-head above, it will be foundthat the coil must be made considerably heavier and stiffer to be selfsustaining in shape and position, when it stands in the bottle neck ofthe container, because the force of gravity acts entirely upon thenebulizer to collapse it rather than acting upon and being sustained bythe T-head. Accordingly, in all forms in which the coil wire 9 andenclosed core or wick it, is to be self sustained, a wire frame I4, isprovided. This is simply a rod, wire, bar or plate, shaped to thecontour or outline and measurements to be givento the completednebulizer element. It is of sufficient strength and rigidity tocertainly maintain the desired shape and position of thecompletednebulizer element. It also acts as a suitable support for the core orwick It. It is, of course, constructed of the minimum cross-sectionalarea and weight, consistent with l the adequate maintenance of its shapeand position. in performing its function as a spreader. Since thespreader maintains the shape and position of the nebulizer, the coil 9,in its capacity as a cage for the core I0, may be greatly reduced in itsnumber of coils per unit measurement of length, and in the crosssectional area of its wire. The coils may be much more widely spaced, asin Figs. 7-10, where the spreader is combined with the coil,becausethespreader provides the strength and'stiffness otherwiserequired of the coil. For the same reason, a less resilient or softerwire, as well as one of less diameter and more widely spaced coils, maybe used in cooperation with such a frame. In fact, with such a frame,the coil may be of such a character as would be entirely inadequatewithout the spreader. In all cases in which the spreader is used, thewire coil 9 is wrapped spirally about the spreader and contacting core,securely binding the core and spreader together, while leaving the coreor wick thoroughly exposed between the widely spaced coils, for the fulleffect of the fan blast. In all cases in which the nebulizer issupported from below rather than from above, the frame [4 provides notonly the necessary stiffness or rigidity for maintaining the shape andposition of the nebulizer element but also provides ample resistance tothe air blast of the fan to, prevent deflection of the nebulizerelement.

The spreader or frame is of springy or resi1ient material which may bereadily contracted to bring its free ends together but which, whenreleased, will spread those free ends considerably apart, as will bereadily understood. This characteristic is used in removably securingthe frame in operative position in the liquid container, as will bepresently disclosedsee Figs. 7-10. A preferred form of container is theshort bottle l5 of large cross-sectional area or base, relative to itsheight. A container so proportioned may be readily and easily placeddirectly in front of the fan, either on a plate II, carried by the fanguard, or, for stationary fans, on any suitable support in front of thefan and as close to the fan guard as practical. In such position it willnot appreciably obstruct the fan draught, nor will it raise thenebulizer element beyond its best position for use. The broad base willgreatly counteract and offset the leverage of the nebulizer element andprevent tipping over or upsetting.

In order to securely attach or anchor the nebulizer element to thecontainer, and in such position that the core or wick may extend withinthe container and feed the liquid therefrom by 4-i -1 capillaryattraction, an anchor cap is provided, adapted to fit over and close thebottle neck, and having a sponge-rubber seal or gasket I I whichprovides ample friction or hold to yieldingly lock or secure it to thebottle neck, ex-

teriorly thereof. The nebulizer element may be detachably connected tothis anchor cap in various ways. Two simple and highly efficient waysare hereinafter disclosed. For instance, the cal) may be provided with akey-hole opening l8 adapted to be alined with the bottle neck, the shortradial notches l8 communicating with radial bores 25 extending from thecenter of the cap through its side walls and intersecting the centralkey-hole slot it. However, notches is do not extend beyond bores 20.Only the round center of the key-hole extends clear through the cap. Inthis form, the free ends of the spreader M are offset oppositely atsharp angles, approximately tangential to the circumference of thenebulizer element, to provide anchoring toes 2|". These offsets are ofsuch length or proportion that, in assembling, they will pass throughthe notches l9, as the free ends of the frame are compressed together.At the same time, the core it, frame M and wire coil 9, will pass intothe central portion of the key-hole slot I8. Now, as the free ends ofthe frame M are released, they spread apart slightly, removingcompression from the wick'or core so that its capillary-action will beunimpeded and, at the same time, moving the toes 2i into the bores 20and the side portions of the frame 14 into the notches is. In this way,the cap and nebulizer element are securely and positively, though easilyremovably, locked together. It seems hardly necessary to state that inapplying the core or wick sufiicient free ends are left beyond the frameM, to extend from the anchor cap It to within a very short distance ofthe bottom of the container, so that all of the liquid in the containerwill be drawn therefrom by capillary attraction in well known manner.Amodification of this anchor cap and frame combination comprises ananchor cap with the key-hole l3-l9 extending completely through the topof the cap to the underside thereof, the cap having lateral bores 20. Inthis modification, the toes 2| are folded backwardly and outwardly onthemselves, so that when the free ends of the frame M are released,after pinching together to pass through the keyhole l8l9, the framemembers will seat in the notches l9 but the toe ends will move under andengage the under face of the cap, while the wick or core will passbetween the frame ends and into the container. This, of course, locksthe frame and anchor cap together in substantially the same manner as inthe case just previously dis closed.

In instances where the nebulizer is mounted on top of the containerinstead of being suspended from the T-head or the like, and a spreaderframe or ring is not employed, but, instead, the stiffness, strength,and closeness of the coils of the wire 9 are relied upon to maintain thenebulizer in operative position and condition, a further modification ofthe anchor cap is used. In such case, the hole or opening through thecap is a simple circle 22. The ends of the coil 9 and enclosed core isare simply compressed sufficiently to be passed through the hole andseated in it. With a sufficiently stiff wire and having coilssufliciently close, a nebulizer element of the kind herein disclosedwill maintain its shape and position without the frame.

As will be clear from the disclosure, as a whole, all forms of thenebulizer element comprise a nebulizer element disposed in the path of afan blast and having a wick or core feeding a liquid either by gravityor by capillary attraction or by both into the path of the fan blast bywhich the liquid is nebulized from the wick and dispersed, a wire coilsurrounding and enclosing the wick in such manner as to give thegreatest possible free passage of the fan blast against and through suchwick.

It hardly need be stated that, according to the present invention, anydesired number and variety of liquids may be used and that they may bevaried at will. To completely change the atmosphere, it is onlynecessary to substitute any desired container and its nebulizer for theone in use. The one so substituted is simply set aside until furtherneeded. The anchor cap, of course, is removed and a regular stopper orsimilar closure is substituted to close the bottle. The user, ingeneral, may very conveniently have half a dozen or so containers andrespective nebulizers therefore, with a difierent liquid, of course, foreach. This, of course, gives a corresponding choice of atmospheres thathe may create at will.

In view of the great variety of liquids usable with the invention ofthis application, the material of the coil 9 and frame it may well beconstructed of some of the well known and widely aoessis used stainlessmetal alloys. Or a nickel or other resistant coat may be applied. For awide variety of uses copper may be employed, except in excess of itsinherent stiffness. Because of its softness and ductility, its use willbe limited.

Where the form of Figs. 1 and 2 is used, the feed will be a drop at atime, only, as will be readily understood. It will be just enough toreplenish the liquid as it is nebulized and blown away by the fan blast.Any faster feed would, of course, result in dripping from the lower sideof the nebulizer element, like a leak in a pipe. So, by watching throughthe sight opening, the needle valve may be operated to regulate the flowjust as desired.

Obviously, the containers may be of any size, shape, proportions, andmaterials desired, provided that they are suitable and practical for thepurposes of the invention; and provided they have sufficient base area,when standing free, to substantially counteract the leverage of thenebulizer element they respectively support. Likewise, it is to beunderstood that the proportions of the containers, when standing free,shall be so chosen as to utilize the center of gravity thereof togreatest practical advantage in offsetting that same leverage.

It is thought that the construction, operation and use of the inventionwill be clear from the preceding detailed description.

Many changes may be made in the construction, arrangement anddisposition of various details of the invention, within the scope of theappended claims and it is meant to include all such within thisapplication, wherein only a preferred form and several modificationshave been illustrated by way of example to more clearly disclose theinvention and with no thought of, in the least degree, limiting theinvention or this application by such illustration.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:--

1. In combination, a nebulizer element comprising a resilient, open,tubular coil, a fibrous core carried therein, a bottle, an anchor capcoupling said bottle and said nebulizer element, and connections betweensaid cap and said nebulizer element.

2. In combination, a nebulizer element comprising a resilient, open,tubular coil, a spreader for said coil, 2; fibrous core within saidcoil, a bottle, an anchor cap for said bottle, and means detachablyconnecting said cap to said nebulizer element with said core extendingthrough said cap and into said bottle.

3. In combination, a nebulizer element, comprising a resilient, open,tubular coil, a resilient spreader for said coil, a fibrous core withinsaid coil, a bottle, an anchor cap for said bottle, and means carried bysaid spreader and actuated by the resiliency of said spreader detachablylocking said spreader to said anchor cap with said core extendingthrough said cap and into said bottle.

4. In combination, a nebulizer element comprising a resilient, open,tubular coil, a fibrous core enclosed within said coil, a bottle, ananchor cap provided with a central opening therethrough into which saidcoil is compressed, and means yieldingly connecting said cap tosaidbottle.

5. In combination, a nebulizer element comprising a resilient, open,tubular coil, a fibrous core within said coil, a bottle, an anchor capfor said bottle, means yieldingly securing said cap to said bottle, andmeans yieldably and detachably connecting said nebulizer to said cap.

6. In combination, a nebulizer element comprising a resilient, open,tubular coil, a spreader for said coil within said coil and providedwith bottle cap engaging locking toes, a bottle, an anchor cap for saidbottle and provided with a keyhole opening receiving said coil andspreader and to be engaged by the toes of said spreader, and meansyieldably and detachably securing said cap to said bottle.

7. In combination, a nebulizer element comprising a resilient, open,tubular coil, an absorbcnt core enclosed within said coil, a bottle, ananchor cap for said bottle provided with an opening therethrough intowhich said coil is compressed, and means detachably connecting said capto said bottle.

8. In combination a bottle provided with an opening through which anebulizer element is received and a nebulizer element compressed intosaid opening and held therein by its resilience and comprising aresilient, open, tubular coil and an absorbent core within said coil.

9. In combination, a bottle provided with an opening through which anebulizer element is received, a resilient, open tubular coil havingopposite ends which are compressed within said opening, and an absorbentcore within said coil.

10. In combination, a bottle provided with an opening through which anebulizer element is received, an open tubular coil having its endscompressed within said opening, an absorbent core within said coil, anda resilent spreader within said coil and provided with toes adapted tobe yieldingly held in locking engagement with said bottle by theresilience of said spreader.

11. In combination, a container for a liquid, a coil receiving membercommunicating with said container, a resilient coil having an endcompressed within said receiving member and yieldingly' maintainedtherein by resilient engagement thereof, and an absorbent core withinsaid coil.

12. In combination, a container for a liquid, a coil receiving membercommunicating with said container, a resilient coil having oppositeends, said ends each being separately compressed within said receivingmember and yieldingly maintained therein by resilient engagementthereof, and an absorbent core within said coil.

13. In combination, a container for a liquid, a coil receiving membercommunicating with said container, a resilient coil having opposite endssaid ends being compressed together within said receiving member andyieldingly maintained therein by resilient engagement thereof, and anabsorbent core within said coil.

MANNING SIMPSON.

